Rail vehicle device for returning a central buffer coupling horizontally to its mid-position

ABSTRACT

A device for returning a central buffer coupling horizontally to its mid-position, particularly for rail vehicles comprises a fixed housing with a coupling pin journalled in the housing and connected with one end of a coupling rod which is rotatable thereon. A guide plate which is pivotal on the coupling pin has respective opposite side faces having a pair of spaced side rollers along its side faces which engage against an oblique side surface of a ram which is slidable in the housing. The ram includes a side surface extending substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the coupling pin which glides along a surface of the housing and a biasing surface at right angles to the glide surface which forms a base for a device which biases the ram in directions toward the coupling pins. The biasing device may comprise springs or hydraulic fluid operated piston and cylinder combinations to act through the oblique surface of the ram and the rollers on the guide plate to return the central buffer coupling horizontally into its mid-position.

United States atet [191 Scharfenberg et al.

[451 Dec. 16, 1975 1 RAIL VEHICLE DEVICE FOR RETURNING A CENTRAL BUFFER COUPLING HORIZONTALLY TO ITS MID-POSITION [73] Assignee: Scharfenbergkupplung GmbH,

Salzgitter, Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 568,321

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 202,184 2/1959 Austria 213/20 Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle [5 7] ABSTRACT A device for returning a central buffer coupling horizontally to its mid-position, particularly for rail vehicles comprises a fixed housing with a coupling pin journalled in the housing and connected with one end of a coupling rod which is rotatable thereon. A guide plate which is pivotal on the coupling pin has respective opposite side faces having a pair of spaced side rollers along its side faces which engage against an oblique side surface of a ram which is slidable in the housing. The ram includes a side surface extending substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the coupling pin which glides along a surface of the housing and a biasing surface at right angles to the glide surface which forms a base for a device which biases the ram in directions toward the coupling pins. The biasing device may comprise springs or hydraulic fluid operated piston and cylinder combinations to act through the oblique surface of the ram and the rollers on the guide plate to return the central buffer coupling horizontally into its mid-position.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures JFT US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 RAIL VEHICLE DEVICE FOR RETURNING A CENTRAL BUFFER COUPLING I'IORIZONTALLY TO ITS MID-POSITION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to the construction of railroad couplings and in particular to a new and useful device for returning a central buffer coupling horizontally into its mid-position.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the known devices for horizontally resetting or returning a central buffer coupling into its mid-position it is known to provide two pressure surfaces on a guide member which extend symmetrically of the longitudinal axis of the coupling rod and which is followed by a cylindrical slide surface coaxial of the vertical pivot of the coupling rod and intersecting the pressure surfaces at an angle. The springs are mounted at a location corresponding to the pressure surfaces at opposite sides of the coupling rod and they transmit resetting forces to the pressure surfaces by means of rollers. This device however is usable only for relatively short coupling rods. The longer the coupling rod the stronger must be the springs in order to obtain a return into the mid-position Within the predetermined angular range. Since only one of the springs is stressed during the angular displacement of the central bufier coupling, the necessary result is that with a relatively long coupling rod, the springs which are needed are strong and therefore so big that the space available in the undercarriage of the rail vehicle is no longer sufficient. In addition a reequipment for a resetting into the mid-position through the entire angular range becomes either impossible or very expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a device for horizontally resetting the central buffer coupling of a vehicle particularly a rail vehicle. The construction is such that it overcomes the draw backs of the known constructions and it includes a guide member or guide plate which carries backing rollers on each of two respective opposite sides on each side of the coupling pin. The backing rollers on the plate are disposed so that in the mid-position each pair of backing rollers along a side applies against a first lateral surface of a ram which has a triangular shape in plan view. The second lateral surface of the ram is guided in a fixed housing surrounding the coupling pin and the third lateral surface forms an abutment of a biasing force such as a return spring so that each plate acts inwardly toward the coupling from the respective opposite sides. In a further feature of the invention the springs may be replaced by any biasing means such as hydraulic pressure.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a device for returning a central bufier coupling and which includes a guide plate which is rotatable on a coupling pin and which includes opposite surfaces which are formed obliquely and complementary to an oblique surface of a ram member which is guided in a housing for outward and inward movement in respect to a central coupling pin and which bears against spaced rollers carried on the guide member and is biased by a biasing force to urge the guide plate into a neutral position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a central buffer coupling return device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a coupling joint having a central buffer coupling return device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line lIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along the line III- -III of FIG. 2; and I FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the device.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in particular the invention embodied therein comprises a buffer coupling which includes a coupling rod 2 and a carrier member 3 which are mounted for pivotal movement about a coupling pivot l. The carrier 3 supports the free end of a leaf spring 4 which is secured at its opposite end to the coupling rod 2 and it thus holds the central buffer coupling resiliently in the mid-position.

In accordance with the invention, between the coupling rod 2 and the carrier 3 there is a plate shaped guide member or guide plate 5 which is rotatable about the pivot 1 and is connected at least to one of the coupling rod 2 or the carrier 3. In the embodiment shown the guide plate 5 is connected to the carrier 3 by means of tight fit screws 6 which are located at equal distances from pivot 1. Screws are arranged at spaced locations along respective oblique guide faces of the guide plate 5. The rollers 7 are arranged in pairs which include a roller 7a and 7b rotatable around associated screws 6 at spaced locations along each oblique side face. Thus at both sides and symmetrically of the coupling axis a there are respective pairs of backing rollers 7a and 7b and the backing rollers 7a and 7b of one and the same pair of rollers are spaced from the coupling axis a by mutually equal distances with rollers 7a, 7a being located on the first transverse axis b and rollers 7b, 7b being located at spaced locations along a second transverse axis c.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the rollers 7a and 7b of each pair are acted upon by reaction biasing means in the form of a ram 8 which is biased in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 by return springs 10 so that the ram on each side of the guide plate 5 acts to return it to a central position.

The ram 8 includes a first side surface 8a which extends obliquely and is parallel to the side surface of the guide plate and bears at its respective ends on each of the rollers 7a and 7b; The ram also includes a second lateral surface 8b which applies against a slide surface 9a which extends at right angles to the axis a and is formed at the interior of a housing 9. A third lateral surface extends parallel to the axis a and it forms a bias surface which is engaged by the return spring 10 which is disposed over a guide shank 8d which is secured to the lateral surface 8c. The springs 10 are advantageously designed as a set of Belleville springs. As soon as the central buffer coupling is swung to one side the respective associated ram 8 is pushed back against the action of its return spring 10 by the action of the backing roller 7a at the respective side of the guide plate 10 and the backing roller 7d at the opposite side. Therefore the ram 8 with its lateral surface 8a is exposed to a reset force or biasing force so that upon release of the central buffer coupling it returns to the mid-position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 similar parts are similarly designated but with primes. The carrier 3 is similar to the carrier 3 of the other embodiment and it includes spaced apart bolt members and 22 which form a sling support for a cross bolt 24 in each embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 each ram member 8' has a third surface 8c which forms a bias receiving surface which in this instance is acted upon by a piston rod 8d connected to a piston 11 which is movable in a hydraulic cylinder 12. The cylinder 12 is exposed to a compressed air pressure through the action of the main bolt of themechanical coupling closure. In this embodiment the ram 8 includes a surface 8e which is recessed concentrically inwardly so that during the horizontal swinging out of the coupling rod 2' first the ram 8' whose guide shank 8d is applied against the piston 11 of the cylinder 12 is pushed back by the backing roller 7a at one side and by the backing roller 7b at the other side and the ram 8 is then exposed to a reset biasing force. Upon further angular movement of the coupling rod, the two backing rollers 7a and 7b come to roll over the surface of the recess 82 which is concentrical of the pivot l and no reset force is exerted anymore on the guide member 5. or the coupling rod 2 so that the coupling rod is no longer urged back into it mid-position. Then it can be swung through the entire angular range of recess 8e without being impeded by a resetting force. It is also possible of course to use rams such-as the rams 8 and-8 in an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the 4 application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A central buffer coupling return device, comprising a fixed housing, a coupling pin journalled in said housing, a coupling rod pivotally connected to said coupling pin, a guide plate pivotal on said coupling pin and having respective opposite side faces, a pair of rollers journalled in said guide plate to project outwardly from each side face, and reaction biasing means acting on said guide rollers on each side including a ram on each side mounted in said housing for sliding movement in directions substantially perpendicular to the axis of said coupling pin, each ram having a first oblique surface applying against said rollers, a second surface guided in said housing, and a third surface forming a lateral biasing surface, and bias means acting on said biasing surface urging said rams in directions toward said coupling pin.

2. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said biasingmeans comprises a spring acting on each of said rams.

3. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein each of said bias surfaces include a guide shank thereon, said guide shank extending through said housing and being guided therein.

4. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said first oblique surface includes an inwardly formed recess curved so as to be concentric to said coupling pivot.

5. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and connected to said bias surface to move said bias surface and said ram.

6. A central buffer coupling according to claim 5, wherein said piston includes a rod portion guided in said housing and connected to said ram.

7. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said bias means comprises a pneumatic pressure acting on said ram.

8. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, including a, leaf spring connected to said coupling rod, a carrier supported on said leaf spring and connected to said guide plate. 

1. A central buffer coupling return device, comprising a fixed housing, a coupling pin journalled in said housing, a coupling rod pivotally connected to said coupling pin, a guide plate pivotal on said coupling pin and having respective opposite side faces, a pair of rollers journalled in said guide plate to project outwardly from each side face, and reaction biasing means acting on said guide rollers on each side including a ram on each side mounted in said housing for sliding movement in directions substantially perpendicular to the axis of said coupling pin, each ram having a first oblique surface applying against said rollers, a second surface guided in said housing, and a third surface forming a lateral biasing surface, and bias means acting on said biasing surface urging said rams in directions toward said coupling pin.
 2. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said biasing meanS comprises a spring acting on each of said rams.
 3. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein each of said bias surfaces include a guide shank thereon, said guide shank extending through said housing and being guided therein.
 4. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said first oblique surface includes an inwardly formed recess curved so as to be concentric to said coupling pivot.
 5. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and connected to said bias surface to move said bias surface and said ram.
 6. A central buffer coupling according to claim 5, wherein said piston includes a rod portion guided in said housing and connected to said ram.
 7. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, wherein said bias means comprises a pneumatic pressure acting on said ram.
 8. A central buffer coupling according to claim 1, including a leaf spring connected to said coupling rod, a carrier supported on said leaf spring and connected to said guide plate. 